Tech gifts to put on your Christmas list this year

If you look outside, it may not feel like Christmas just yet, but it is certainly coming, and it’s coming fast…

Photo: Mervi Eskelinen/ Flickr

In the spirit of the festive season, I have compiled a list of the latest and greatest technology that would make great gifts this Christmas – because you don’t have to be a ‘tech enthusiast’ to love these gifts!

The Google Chromecast is one of the less expensive gifts on this list, but it will be in high demand this Christmas. If someone you know is wanting an entertainment hub, but doesn’t want to buy a smart TV, then a Chromecast is perfect. The Chromecast is simple to set up and use, so you can play your favourite videos from YouTube and Netflix, as well as your favourite songs from Spotify, in no time at all.

Apple’s take on merging tablets and laptops comes together in the form of the iPad Pro, which is the biggest iPad yet. With the iPad Pro measuring up at a huge 13 inches, it brings a massive 10300 mAh battery, dual stereo speakers and great performance with Apple’s A9X chip. It cannot quite replace your laptop this time around, but if you buy the additional keyboard and ‘Pencil’ accessories, you could get quite productive – even if the temptation of watching YouTube videos on that massive screen gets too strong.

On the other hand, Microsoft’s latest attempt at a laptop and tablet mashup is the Microsoft Surface Pro 4. This tablet and laptop combo, unlike the iPad Pro, could actually replace your laptop. The Surface Pro 4 could get pretty expensive with all of the available additions, but the base model is very capable of running all of your favourite desktop applications from the Microsoft Office Suite and the Creative Cloud Suite.

If you know someone who is very active and loves their music, then the Jaybird X2 wireless earphones might be the perfect gift. These premium earbuds are designed to hold firm in your ears, whilst being sweat-proof, so they are perfect for any of your friends who love to exercise. The Jaybird X2s last up to 8 hours, which can easily take you through the full day, and will be ready again after only 2 hours of charging.

If you have an active friend who is looking to track all of their activities throughout the day, then a Fitbit would make a great present. Wearable technology like the Apple Watch and the Moto 360 may have some fitness tracking capabilities, but Fitbit has always been the undisputed king for fitness buffs. The HR Charge version is Fitbits all-rounder, with a screen capable of showing the time, your daily steps, distance travelled, calories, steps climbed and your heart rate.

Perhaps you have a friend who loves to listen to and share their music whilst on the go? That sounds like you are looking for a portable speaker. There are a lot of portable speakers out there, but the Braven 570 really sets itself apart. It is a high quality Bluetooth speaker, with a couple of killer extra features. The Braven 570 has a large battery life that can last up to 10 hours, but what sets this portable speaker apart from others is that it can even share that battery with your phone to keep the music rolling even longer!

If you have a friend who constantly relies on their mobile phone or tablet whilst they are on the go to get their work done, then they would definitely appreciate the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard. The keyboard on your phone can be fine for small tasks, but a keyboard with real keys makes typing for longer periods a lot easier. With the Logitech Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard, you can connect to 3 devices at once and switch between them at any time.

A lot of the things on this list are quite practical, but it is good to have fun sometimes, and that is where the Polaroid Snap comes in. As the name suggests, the Polaroid Snap can instantly print out the photos you take with its 10 megapixel camera, but it also saves a digital copy for you to share on social media. The 2 X 3 inch photos that are printed out can be printed out with black and white filter, a vintage sepia filter or of course as a normal photo.

The iPhone 6s may be one of the more expensive gifts on this list, but it will undoubtedly be hot this Christmas. The latest iPhone’s most notable features are the enhanced camera, faster processing speeds and 3D Touch. I would not say that these new features are worthy of an upgrade from the iPhone 6, but if you have an older phone and are wanting the best that Apple has to offer then the iPhone 6s is the phone for you.

On the other hand, if you are looking for the best of what Android has to offer, then the Nexus 6P is the one for you. The Nexus line up normally results in mid-range phones, but the Nexus 6P is a high-end premium device. The Nexus 6P’s most notable features are the fingerprint sensor, USB Type C and the AMOLED Quad HD screen. If you are looking for an Android device this year, then the Nexus 6P is definitely worth considering.

The new iPhone will be revealed this evening. (Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns / Flickr)
The wait is finally over. A new iPhone will be unveiled this evening but not the one you’re expecting. Apple will reveal the new iPhone SE which cosmetically will match the appearance of the current 5S with a slightly boxier shape and a smaller screen.
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